Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Peshtigo
- Type: Three-masted barkentine
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Thomas Spears, Peshtigo, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length 161 ft (49 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 602 tons (old style)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 60 m / 200 ft
- Location: Collision site between Beaver Island and North Fox Island
- Official Number: 19663
- Original Owners: Th. Beebe Company, Chicago, IL
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Peshtigo was a wooden barkentine—schooner-rigged fore-and-aft on main and mizzen, with square sails on foremast—designed for extensive Great Lakes freight service. At 161 ft (49 m), 602 old tons, she was among the larger sailing vessels built in Peshtigo.
Description
The Peshtigo was constructed in 1863 and served various Great Lakes ports, primarily carrying coal and other goods. Ownership remained with the Chicago-based Th. Beebe Company until her loss.
History
On 26 June 1878, while navigating Lake Michigan in dense fog and drifting smoke from regional fires, the Peshtigo collided with the three-masted schooner St. Andrews. The impact caused the Peshtigo to sink within minutes; two crew members died. Survivors, rescued by the schooner S.V.R. Watson, reported the collision occurred between Beaver Island and North Fox Island.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the schooner St. Andrews in fog and smoke.
- Two crew members lost their lives in the incident.
Final Disposition
The Peshtigo sank rapidly after the collision, coming to rest bow-to-bow with the St. Andrews. Both vessels are now preserved on the lake bottom in approximately 60 m (200 ft) of water, separated by about 10 ft.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in excellent preservation: both hulls are intact, with masts downed and cargo (coal) scattered across the bottom. Accessibility is limited to technical deep-water divers under Michigan’s wreck protections.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”peshtigo-us-19663″ title=”References & Links”]
This dual wreck site fills a historical gap—correcting previous misplacement of the Peshtigo in Lake Huron—and provides a rare, close-proximity pairing of vessels from a single collision. The site is archaeologically valuable for understanding late 19th-century Great Lakes sailing freight.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Peshtigo
- Official Number: 19663
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Thomas Spears, Peshtigo, Wisconsin
- Vessel Type: Three‑masted barkentine
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1
- Original Owner: Th. Beebe Company, Chicago, IL
- Final Location: Collision site between Beaver Island and North Fox Island, Lake Michigan
- Date Lost: 26 June 1878
- Final Cargo: Coal
- Loss Method: Collision with schooner St. Andrews in fog and smoke
Vessel Type
The Peshtigo was a wooden barkentine—schooner-rigged fore-and-aft on main and mizzen, with square sails on foremast—designed for extensive Great Lakes freight service. At 161 ft (49 m), 602 old tons, she was among the larger sailing vessels built in Peshtigo.
Dimensions
- Length: 161 ft (49 m)
- Tonnage: 602 tons (old style)
History & Final Voyage
Constructed in 1863, the Peshtigo served various Great Lakes ports, carrying coal and other goods. Ownership remained with Chicago-based Th. Beebe Co. until her loss.
On 26 June 1878, while navigating Lake Michigan in dense fog and drifting smoke from regional fires, she collided with the three-masted schooner St. Andrews. The impact caused the Peshtigo to sink within minutes; two crew members died. Survivors—rescued by the schooner S.V.R. Watson—reported the collision occurred between Beaver Island and North Fox Island (Shipwreck World).
Final Disposition
The Peshtigo sank rapidly after collision, coming to rest bow-to-bow with the St. Andrews. Both vessels are now preserved on the lake bottom in ~60 m (200 ft) of water, separated by approximately 10 ft .
Located By & Date Found
Discovered in 2010 by diver Bernie Hellstrom near Beaver Island. Technical dives in 2019 by John Janzen and John Scoles, with historian Brendon Baillod, confirmed the site’s identity (Shipwreck World).
Notmars & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners. The deep-water site is significantly below recreational diving limits (≈200 ft).
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in excellent preservation: both hulls are intact, with masts downed and cargo (coal) scattered across the bottom (Shipwreck World). Accessibility is limited to technical deep-water divers under Michigan’s wreck protections.
Significance
This dual wreck site fills a historical gap—correcting previous misplacement of the Peshtigo in Lake Huron—and provides a rare, close-proximity pairing of vessels from a single collision (Shipwreck World). The site is archaeologically valuable for understanding late 19th-century Great Lakes sailing freight.
Resources & Links
- ShipwreckWorld.com: discovery narrative & site images (Shipwreck World)
- GreatLakesNow / AP report on discovery (Great Lakes Now)
- Straits of Mackinac Preserve: technical wreck data on St. Andrews, with dual-context analysis (Wrecksite)
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Tags: Peshtigo, barkentine, collision wreck, Beaver Island, coal cargo, deep dive, Great Lakes archaeology
- Categories: 19th‑Century Sailing Vessels, Dual-Wreck Sites, Technical Diving Wrecks, Great Lakes Disasters
- Glossary: Barkentine, Bow‑to‑bow sinking, Technical dive depth, Fog navigation, Signal torches, Coal cargo preservation